Chapter 16

Shrithik made a disgusted face. And ran his hands over his face.

"I do?"

She nodded. He was looking very troubled.

"Ahh...you don't look that evil. You just have that same smile. Nothing much."

Shrithik nodded with a troubled face.

"Yeah. You already have a evil face. And that sinister smile of yours adds the evilness. So it's logical that you look more bad."

His troubled face slowly turned mischievous. And he had that evil smile.

He knew that Sameera cannot even give a good comeback because her friends were back.

He had a smug look while Sameera was glaring at him.

"You know, you've started acting weird lately."

Raj stated, looking at Sameera intensely.

She turned around.

"When have I not? You only tell me that I am a weirdo."

He nodded and Shivam replied.

"Yeah, you are. But you are acting more strange. Like glaring into thin air. Smiling for no reason and you've even started to talk to yourself. Is there something wrong?"

Sameera shook her head in no slowly. She never really thought about it, that her friends will notice this much.

"That's nothing. It's just......nothing."

She was looking down on her lap when she felt fingers brushing on her nape. She's very ticklish with these kinds of small brushings and less when somebody actually tickles her.

And as you know, Shrithik doesn't come in somebody.

She jerked her head up. Shrithik was grinning while still brushing his fingers on the nape of her neck. He loves it when she's startled. It's just a view to watch.

Sameera couldn't control her movements. She was trying not to squirm but failing.

Maaya's worried voice brought her back from her trance in which she was frying Shrithik.

"Hey.....are you okay?"

"Yeah...I guess?"

Shrithik's fist was in his mouth, preventing him from laughing. He's been laughing a lot lately.

Sameera was feeling embarrassed. She never got embarrassed in front of her friends. Her cheeks were growing red and her friends were aware of it.

"I-I should go."

She stood up and headed towards her home as her classes were over. Shrithik was also walking beside her kicking the gravel on his path. His hands were in his pocket.

"You've never been this embarrassed before, right?"

He asked and she hummed in agreement.

"Wait a minute!! How do you know?"

Shrithik smirked.

He's always been good at reading people. A little extra good. Somehow he guesses next to near what someone is thinking.

"Your friends had it written on their faces."

She nodded. After a few minutes he once again spoke.

"Looks like I am the only one who has got this power. To embarrass you."

"That's not true!!"

She whined knowing very well that it's true.

"Oh yeah?! You surely lie too much."

Sameera gaped at him. If she would have said the same line to Shivam, he definitely would have doubted himself.

"That's.........that's also not true."

"Sure, sure. I agree."

He said chuckling.

Soon they were at their home. Shrithik was lying on his bed watching a movie. Romantic to be specific.

He was a sucker for them. But somehow, he was not romantic at all. And if anyone was to act all romantic and cheesy in front of him, he'll definitely vomit. It looks good just in movies.

"Old man! Old man. I'm hungry! Can you please cook some-"

Sameera entered his room, but stopped as soon as she saw him. He was lying with on his back with his head hanging on the side. And his t-shirt was also lifted up, showing his abs. Fortunately he was wearing headphones so he didn't hear her, otherwise he surely would have teased her.

Sameera's eyes moved to his phone. Two people were standing with their foreheads against each other and they seemed to be saying something. It was definitely a romantic movie.

She slowly went towards him and snatched his phone away. He just looked at her, expressionless.

She groaned. Handing it back to him she said

"Why don't you get angry."

Shrithik quickly sat up and grinned

"Because I knew your intentions. And see, you quietly gave my phone back." He laughed a mocking laugh.

"Ay, don't laugh. You romantic punk. Everytime I come, you are watching a romantic movie."

"You know horror movies don't give me thrill nowadays. Because I am living with a ghost myself. So, for something new and better, I watch romantic movies. Any problem?"

She hit his chest.

"Yes. Why don't you get embarrassed? Any boy will get embarrassed if he's caught watching romantic movie everytime. And here you are, expressionless bastard."

He once again laughed mockingly.

"Hee ha ha ha haaaaaa. Because I am different!"

"Why? Are you a girl disguised as a boy?"

She said. And he scrunched his nose.

"You looking at this beard. It's 100% natural. And I didn't know girls grow beard."

Sameera made a crying face.

"Why are you so......so. Leave it."

Then she softly spoke.

"Please make something. I'm hungry."

He nodded and patted her head.

"Don't worry my child. Get the dining table ready and wash your hands. Wait for five minutes and your food will be in front of you after an hour. Okay? Okay."

Saying this he made his way to the kitchen. Ready to work his magic.

____________________________________

Sameera was making a project sitting in the living room. Shrithik was sitting on sofa and playing temple run.

She was cutting a piece of thermocole with a cutter when she accidentally cut her finger.

"Ouch!"

Shrithik moved his gaze towards her.

"What happened?"

"Just a small cut."

She showed him her finger and he sat up straight. He took her hand and inspected the cut.

"It's not small. Let me bring a bandaid."

He said with a blank face. Whenever he was serious or close to serious his expression turned blank.

Saying this he went inside his room and brought a piece of wet cloth and a bandaid.

"It's nothing, old man. I'll be fine."

"Shut up."

She pouted. Can't he say that a bit more politely?

She silently watched him as he carefully, but in a swift motion wiped the blood off. And then smoothly applied the bandaid after applying some healing cream on it.

She couldn't help but think of his reaction when Sasha cut her finger. Sameera's cut was definitely smaller than it. And Shrithik himself has cut him many times. And he never even applied a bandaid.

"Done!"

He announced, after completing the first aid. Sameera was looking at him.

"Sweetheart?"

"Yes?"

"You can remove your hand now."

Sameera looked at her hand. It was tightly clutching his hand. She quickly retreated it.

"Don't get too high of yourself. I'm just helping the world."

Shrithik said getting a slight hint of what she was thinking.

"Why?"

"There was a demon named Raktbeej who had the boon that whenever a drop of his blood will fall on the ground a duplicate of him will bor-"

He was cut of by Sameera who tackled him to the ground.

He laughed.

"You're saying I am a demon? As you are any less."

"I never said that. Now that you are saying, it maybe true."

She hit his chest lightly.

"Meanie"

"Okay, okay. Get off of me now. You're heavy."

He said but in fact, she was very light weight.

She once again hit his chest and stood up.

"I never really thought you can give this good comebacks."

He sat up straight and messed his hair.

What is with boys always messing their hair?

"I thought you don't like sarcastic people?"

He asked getting off the floor.

"Yeah. I don't. Those annoying people who actually are not sarcastic but are wannabe kinds, I don't like those. Good comebacks are always appreciated."

His eyes twinkeld.

"So you appreciate me?"

He always liked when someone appreciated him.

"Yes."

His face was resembling to a small kid whose mother has appreciated him for writing alphabets in order.

"But Sweetheart, why were you being so sarcastic when we first met. You know you were lucky that only you could see me and were a girl. Otherwise I would have definitely beaten you to pulp. I also don't like sarcastic people."

He said innocently and she scratched her neck nervously.

"Oh that..... actually I wanted you to dislike me."

He raised his eyebrows at her confession.

"And why was that?"

She made a duh look.

"Because it was very strange. Imagine yourself kicking someone who was Invisible and only you could see him. God knows you could have been an evil magician. But then, I came to know that you are just invisible so I stopped."

His expression was blank. But this time he was not serious.

"Sweetheart. Once again I am telling you. I'm not a magician."

She waved him off.

"I know, I know. You don't need to remind me."

He made a bored face.

"Let's see. How many days will it take for you to once again forget it."

It was something like 11 in the night when there was a knock on their door.

Repeated knocks broke Shrithik's sleep.

He groaned and went towards the door. Peeking from the peep hole he got a glance of Maaya.

In a second he was fully alert. He quickly went in Sameera's room to wake her up.

His steps stopped once he saw her.

Her tshirt has gotten up showing her perfect belly. Her hairs were in a fishtail and she was wearing a simple lower. She was sleeping on the duvet that was supposed to cover her.

He took a deep breath.

Can't she sleep properly with her tshirt tucked it. Throwing the dirty thoughts off of his mind, he focused on waking her up.

He took her shoulders and made her sit. She jerked her eyes open but closed them as soon as she saw him. She started laying down once again but was stopped by Shrithik.

He slowly patted her cheeks.

"Sweetheart, wake up Sweetheart. Maaya is standing on the door. Sweetheart."

She once again opened her eyes and rubbed them. Sleepily, she asked

"Maaya?"

And he nodded. It was a very odd time for Maaya to come. Because Sameera always slept a little early, her friends never bothered her at this time.

Waking up fully she ran towards the door. Shrithik was right, Maaya was standing there. Her eyes were red and puffy. Her look was messy. She was looking tired.

"Maaya! What happened? Get in!"

She exclaimed and took Maaya in.

Shrithik went to kitchen and brought a glass of water and gave it to Sameera.

Handing it to Maaya, Sameera asked.

"What happened, Maaya. Why are you looking so.....messed."

"I........"

Maaya started crying. Maaya usually didn't cry. So this was concerning. Sameera hugged her, letting her cry as much as she wants. Surprisingly, Sameera was good at handling crying people.

After sometime, when Maaya calmed down, she once again asked

"What happened?"

"I.... remember three months ago, I went to Pune?"

Sameera nodded.

"Yeah. Your aunt lives there."

"Yeah. She also has a son. One year older than us. He.....he lives in Hyderabad. Today he came up to my house and showed me some photos."

Suddenly, Maaya started panicking.

"I swear, those were edited. I....... don't even know how he can stoop so low. But I am telling you, Sameera, those were edited photos of mine."

"Okay.....okay. But what happened next?"

"Today, h-he came to my house and asked for me t-to s-s-sleep with him, otherwise, he'll...... he'll upload them on internet."

Once again Maaya broke down.

"Please, please do something Sameera. I beg you."

Sameera hugged her tightly. She was burning with rage. How can someone stoop this low.

Same could be said for Shrithik. He was so angry. Vein were popping out of his neck.

This guy was surely going to get a broken nose and ribs by the end the end of the week.

Sameera decided, to let Maaya stay.

"Maaya. Come on."

Maaya looked up from her lap.

"Where?"

"To sleep. You are tired. You cannot go like this so late. Stay here for a night. And don't worry. That fucker will not be able to do something."

She gave her a warm smile and handed out her hand.

"Now come on."

Saying this she tucked Maaya to bed.

Shrithik has already done his research on Maaya's cousin. Always a step ahead. As soon as she came out of the room Shrithik spoke

"His name is Kartik. His house is a thirty minutes drive from here and he is an unemployed engineer."

Sameera nodded. He looked at his instagram id. His face was what people wil call innocent. But there was that glint in his eyes which seemed clever.

"What do you think of him?"

She asked him.

"Let's sleep. Now can we please sleep?"

Though Karthik looked like a cunning fox. It still felt that it will not be that hard to get him.

Sameera laughed.

"You're such a baby."

He stuck her tongue out at him. Shrithik took his duvet and pillow and threw them on the couch. Sameera who was drinking water looked at him through questioning gaze.

"You can take the bed. I'll sleep on the couch."

She kept her glass down.

"But, what's the need. You sleep on your bed, I'll sleep on mine."

He shook his head.

"No. Don't disturb Maaya. She's already asleep and she looked tired."

Sameera nodded, understanding. She then, hesitantly spoke

"We can..um..share the bed, you know."

Shrithik stopped adjusting his pillows.

"Will it be fine for you?"

Sameera nodded.

"Yeah. I know you are not gonna do anything and your bed is big enough to fit three people. We are only two."

Shrithik nodded. And without any other words, rushed to his room.

Sameera followed him. She also layed down beside him. At a corner. She had weird sleeping position so she did not wanted to kick him in her sleep.

Suddenly a cold, large hand pulled her towards the centre of the bed from the far end.

She squealed. And then she felt him whisper against her ear.

"Don't blame me if I kicked you in my sleep. And you and I both know, how much you wanna cuddle with me right now."

Sameera laughed and turned around, facing him. Her head was resting on his hand.

"Don't make this awkward tomorrow."

With this, she nuzzled her head in his chest.

"Don't make this awkward tomorrow."

Saying this Shrithik kissed her head.

And they both slept peacefully in each other's arms.